Promoting the parish for the benefit of residents

Newsletter May 2014

East Woodhay Society Newsletter for May 2014

East Woodhay Society Events

Saturday 12th April – Race Night at Woolton Hill Church Hall

The Race Night on the 12th April proved to be a great success, with everyone having a superb time. We raised over £650 for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity and would like to thank our generous sponsors and race-goers.

Monday 5th May – Crafty Craft Race

As previously mentioned, we entered an all-female team in this year’s Crafty Craft Race on the 5th May and for the third year running were faster than ALL other teams and better still, besides beating the fastest men’s time by 8 minutes we shaved a further 2 minutes off our own course record. We would like to thank the Newbury Sports Massage for being our main sponsor this year and with their help expect to raise about £350 to be split between the Newbury Round Table and the Ark Cancer Centre Charity. On a separate point we are hoping that the Newbury Round Table will also make a donation to our chosen local charity out of their share of the funds raised. For those of you, who are not yet members, just think of all the fun and excitement you are missing out on.

Friday 6th June – Walking for Health

Our next two regular walks under the heading “Walking for Health” are on Friday 6th June & Friday 20th June at 10.30am from the Surgery in Trade Street RG20 9UL. The walks last about an hour and will be at a gentle pace. Please wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking in the weather. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day and register.

We are pleased to say that the walks are proving very popular with an increasing number of people joining us. Walks are currently being held on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, but we are planning to do them weekly. These walks are free and available to both members and non-members.

Other Events

Monday 26th May St Martin’s Guild Fete at Malverleys

St Martin’s Guild are holding their annual fete on 26th May at 2pm. Stalls & events this year include cakes, plants, East Woodhay Artisans, raffle, tombola, toys, children’s sideshows, teas, beer tent, vintage car display, dog show plus many more. The East Woodhay Silver Band will be there to entertain you. There will also be an opportunity to join a guided tour of the gardens, but these need to be pre-booked by contacting Sarah Ede on 253205 or email to info@eastwoodahyfete.org.uk.

Saturday 7th June 2014 – Highclere Church Fete

Highclere Church is holding its annual church fete in the grounds of St Michaels and All Angels’ Church during the afternoon of Saturday 7th June. Please contact Jo Walsh by email to jo@highclerefarm.wanadoo.co.uk or by phone on 255013 if you are able to offer some help on the day.

The event starts at 1.00pm at Owls Lodge and finishes at the Red House pub for a meal and raffle. Tickets are £50 and all profits will go to Newbury & District Cancer Care Trust. For more information and to book your place, please call Paul Howard on 07767 321346 or send an email to paul.howard19@yahoo.co.uk

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June – Festival of Gardening at West Woodhay House

Now an annual show open between 10am-5.30pm. Lots to see and do, including New Garden & Cooking Stage with demos all day, meet the WW Experts, plant and gift stalls; see the gardens with lots of entertainment for children. Entry is £8 for adults and children under 15 free.

Saturday 14th June – Festival of Gardening Candlelit Opera Gala at West Woodhay House

Singers from English National Opera, Covent Garden & International Opera Houses will entertain you with world class singing accompanied by International Conductor Jeremy Silver and Southern Sinfonia chamber ensemble. Starts at 7.30pm, tickets in advance cost £25 for adults and £10 for children; on the gate tickets cost £35, to book visit www.westwoodhaygardenshow.co.uk.

Saturday 21st June – The Watermill comes to Highclere Village Hall

An exciting new production ‘Hard-Boiled’ is coming to Highclere Village Hall on Saturday 21st June at 7.30 pm. The Watermill Theatre’s on Tour Company promise a fabulous evening and invite you to step into the farcical world of gangsters, private eyes and femme fatales. There you will meet wise-cracking Private Investigator Dan Spick who is the toughest, grumpiest and sharpest guy in town and he’s got a case to solve but this case is different and has more twists than a Chinese burn- who knows what’s around the next corner? Tickets cost £10 and are available from Molly on 253264 and Mary on 254264 or via email to averilbreakspear@btinternet.com or marymcquillen@icloud.com.

Saturday 21st June 2014 – Abseil down Spinnaker Tower for Arthritis

The local branch of Arthritis Research UK is seeking volunteers who will take in spectacular views as they descend 300ft down the iconic Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, to raise vital funds for research into arthritis. The entry fee is £50 and each participant must pledge to raise a minimum of £300 in sponsorship. There are only a few places remaining and so please contact Adrienne Noke on a.noke@arthritisresearchuk.org or telephone 07736 157794 if you would like to be part of this new challenge for Arthritis Research UK.

Sunday 22nd June 2014 – Kingsclere Grand Garden Safari

Enjoy a stroll through some of the loveliest gardens in Kingsclere. There will be homemade cakes and refreshments available at a variety of locations. Entry between 2pm-6pm, entry £5 adults, children free. All proceeds to St Mary’s Church Keystone Project.

Saturday 5th July – St Thomas’ Church Fete

The annual church fête will be held in the grounds of St Thomas’ Church on Saturday 5th July. See next month’s newsletter for more details.

Wednesday 9th July 2014 – Three Counties Wildlife Walk

The North West Division of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have organised a 3-mile walk through varied upland countryside including woodland where some large butterflies should be seen. There is a very steep path and a stile. Please take your lunch! The meeting point it Linkenholt playing field car park, 50 metres west of the church at 10.30am. There is a suggested donation of £2.50. Clegs may be encountered! Contact Mervyn Grist on 01264 358737 or by email to Mervyn@dmgrist1.plus.com for more information.

A Piece of Nostalgia

Two months ago you will have seen an entry “A Piece of Nostalgia: 1940s and 50s”, which was sent to the EWS by Tony May to be published in three instalments in our Newsletter and via Spectrum. Unfortunately, Tony’s wife has suffered an injury and he is suddenly a full time carer, while his wife recovers. This means the next instalment will be somewhat delayed.

East Woodhay Society

If you are an existing member and have not yet renewed your membership, we would appreciate it if you could do so as soon as possible. If you are not a member, but are interested in joining the society please print off a copy of the form on our website www.wooltonhill.com/ews_news and send an email to eastwoodhaysociety@wooltonhill.com. If you would like to respond to any of the items above please use the above email address.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust – new website launch

The Trust’s new website was launched in April with many new features including an A to Z Species and Habitats Guide which allows you to type in the name of an animal, plant or habitat and gives information about how to identify the species, where you find it and how you can help. There’s also a Learn and Discover Section and a Nature Reserves Section. Please take a look at www.hiwwt.org.uk

Police & Crime

This is the crime summary for the month of April 2014 for the parishes of:

8 reports of ASB, however, the majority of these are neighbour related.

Motorcycles reported being ridden off road on Sydmonton Common – Offenders are reminded that vehicles are not to be ridden in this area. Offenders will be dealt with under Section 59 of the police reform act and could have their vehicles seized.

Youths reported for starting a fire on the playing fields next to St Thomas’ Infant School in Woolton Hill. Enquiries have revealed two names of offenders and these youths will be dealt with in due course alongside Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Reduce speeding across the beat

The safety camera van is continually being deployed across the beat area.

Officers have been carrying out additional speed checks in 30mph zones. Coming soon to your area!

03/04/14 – Suspicious Incident/Fraud – Reports of a suspicious vehicle in Ashmansworth, occupants looking for the postman, Police attended but unable to locate the vehicle. Further communication with villagers linked the vehicle to possible fraud offences. This is being dealt with by action fraud.

10/04/14 – Theft from a vehicle – A34 – Fuel was taken from a vehicle parked overnight, 3 males have been arrested in connection.

26/04/14 – Theft from a vehicle – Church Street, Woolton Hill – Offenders have smashed a vehicle’s window and taken a wallet from within.

Thefts from Vehicles – Not just at the beauty spots….

With nicer weather comes an increase of visitors to beauty spot locations such as Beacon Hill, Watership Down and other popular walking areas.

If you are visiting any of these locations please take note of the following advice…

Try to park in sign-posted parking areas.

Be cautious about parking your car in isolation. Thieves can be put off when other people are around.

Do not leave anything in your vehicle. A jacket or coat left behind may be of very little value to you, but a thief may think it has been used to hide a laptop or handbag and will break into your vehicle to find out.

Take items with you rather than locking them in the boot, you can’t be sure who has seen you.

Before you leave home, think about what you need and leave any unnecessary items of value at home.

Make sure you do not leave documents which have your personal details on in your vehicle.

Do not leave your sat-nav in your vehicle and don’t forget to remove the cradle and wipe the sucker marks from your windscreen.

Remember to shut all windows and sunroofs and lock all doors. Activate the alarm and immobiliser. Make use of any security products you might have such as steering locks.

Whilst enjoying the sights make sure you keep your bag and possessions with you.

Elsewhere….

We have seen an increase in the number of thefts from vehicles parked on the roadside – Do not leave valuables in your unattended car at ANY point.

Thefts of this nature are opportunist and offenders will take seconds to complete their task and move on. Don’t get caught out.

Across the beat – Abbey has attended the Newtown Parish Assembly and heard some feedback about speed enforcement. We will attempt to make improvements to speed enforcement in the area.

Abbey will be attending further assemblies in Burghclere, Highclere, Ashmansworth, Ecchinswell and East Woodhay. Unfortunately she will be unable to attend the full meeting for Highclere, Ashmansworth, East Woodhay or Burghclere, so if you have any questions or comments that you do not wish to ask in a public forum then please feel free to email.

Richard has attended meetings relating to speed problems across the beat and is making plans to tackle the issues.

If you have any information regarding any of the incidents detailed in this update please contact us either by email or calling 101

If you know someone who is involved in criminal activity, have information relating to crimes that have occurred, but you do not want to call police directly.. Then please visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or call 0800 555 111.This is a free and anonymous service.